2 layers57 × 55.2 mm
LogicAnalyzer
gusmanb/logicanalyzer
24 channel, 100Msps logic analyzer hardware and software
10 parts5.1kGPL-3.0
2 layers56.5 × 43.2 mm
Dram tester
necroware/dram-tester124164 / 41256 DRAM Tester
- Size
- 56.5 × 43.2 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 10
- Nets
- 31
- Pads
- 58
- Tracks, vias
- 93, 0
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 8 Aug 2020
- Updated
- 17 Apr 2026
Overview
Dram tester is an open-source printed circuit board by necroware, from the necroware/dram-tester repository on GitHub, published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 56.5 × 43.2 mm with 10 parts on 31 nets, routed with 93 tracks and 0 vias.
Its parts include 2 resistors, 2 diodes, 1 capacitor and 1 IC. It belongs with the AVR (ATmega, ATtiny) boards of this library.
README
README.md4164 / 41256 DRAM Tester
This is a simple DRAM tester for 4164 and 41256 DRAM chips. It writes and reads various patterns to verify the integrity of the memory chips. During the the test red an green LEDs blink alternatively to indicate that the test is running. If an error was detected, the the red LED will stay on permanently. If the chip passed the test, the green LED will stay on. With JP1 closed, the tester will expect a 4164 chip, with JP1 open, it will expect a 41256 chip.
Why do we need this?
When working with vintage computers, it's common to encounter faulty DRAM chips. This tester helps to quikly identify bad chips. There is no particular reason why I decided to make this tester. There are already many similar designs, but the ones I found were either too slow, or didn't work for me. So I decided to learn a bit more about DRAMs and make my own tester which is fast and simple. A check of 4164 takes around 7s, the 41256 is tested in around 20s.
Bill of Materials
- Arduino Nano or compatible board
- DIP-16 ZIF socket for 4164/41256 DRAM chips
- 2x 330 Ohm resistors (for LEDs)
- 2x LEDs (red and green)
- 22-100µF capacitor (for power supply stabilization)
- 2x1 2.54mm jumper (for JP1)
Parts
10| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 330 | Resistor_THT:R_Axial_DIN0207_L6.3mm_D2.5mm_P10.16mm_Horizontal | R1, R2 |
| 1 | Arduino_Nano_v3.x | Module:Arduino_Nano | A2 |
| 1 | C | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D3.4mm_W2.1mm_P2.50mm | C1 |
| 1 | G_LED | LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm | D2 |
| 1 | Jumper | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | JP1 |
| 1 | LOGO | dram_tester:cc-by-sa-logo | G*** |
| 1 | R_LED | LED_THT:LED_D3.0mm | D1 |
| 1 | TMM41256AP | Socket:DIP_Socket-16_W4.3mm_W5.08mm_W7.62mm_W10.16mm_W10.9mm_3M_216-3340-00-0602J | U1 |
The 9 most common of 10 parts.
Questions
How big is the Dram tester PCB?
It measures 56.5 × 43.2 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Dram tester use?
10 parts. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Dram tester KiCad files?
From the necroware/dram-tester repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is kicad/dram-tester.kicad_pcb and its schematic kicad/dram-tester.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Dram tester design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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